A Simply Great Man: David Robinson
by Wayne Vore (ATS) on Sep 11, 2009 9:46 PM CDT
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PrintHere is all you need to know about David Robinson. His play was derived from his soul, not the other way around, as it is with most of our current athletes. By this I mean his superb morality and human traits in general transcended to the basketball court. Most athletes are defined by the sport they play. David Robinson was different. He had a solid identity, an unflappable pride, and an unmatched soul before he became a basketball player. This is illustrated by his service to our country, by his integrity as a professional athlete, and his continued involvement in our community here in the heart of Texas.
The only criticism that you will find of David is that he was ‘soft.’ This is simply a result of the great character that Robinson possesses. Unlike Jordan, Robinson did not have the ‘killer instinct.’ He would never go for blood. Robinson played the game as if it were a game; because that is exactly what it is and Robinson always knew this. When Karl Malone hit him with an elbow, he turned the other cheek. He did not seek vengeance or an apology. Robinson was, and always will be, above foul play.
Do not misunderstand me. Robinson is a winner. He simply did not respond to controversy in the way that athletes normally react. He is a good person and his reaction did not meet our expectations that had been set by other great athletes like Michael Jordan. Robinson is a great human being and reacted as such.
So today, the great David Robinson was honored and inducted to the Hall of Fame. What is incredible is the unmistakable impact he has had on all sports fans. He taught us what a professional athlete could be, and should be. David is a role model, not because he wanted to be, but because his soul commanded actions that made him one.
Posted by ATS for Fred
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This is true, and truly beautiful.
Robinson played the game as if it were a game; because that is exactly what it is and Robinson always knew this.
This post expresses just the way I feel about David and I thank you for writing it, Fred.
I think David would thank you too.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
Darn good speech, darn good man.
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I cannot begin to express my feelings about Robinson as concisely and as well as this, but I had to write something out about how he shaped my development: http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?message=125274213536018689
And for the record, I also loved Jordan’s speech. He laid it all out.
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I loved both speeches for completely opposite reasons: David was a gentleman, a class act – Jordan proved he was so competitive even after he retired he’s still trash-talking his opponents. That’s a riot right there, and I laughed right along him.
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And Stockton’s might’ve been the best one. A riot.
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Stockton just wouldn’t shut up. Surprising, given how quiet he was during his playing days.
ACLs are like crutches. They’re only for the weaklings who can’t get along without them. -jollyrogerwilco
Wouldn’t shut up? His speech was shorter than MJ’s and Sloan’s. I thought he was pretty articulate and funny…
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Didn’t he start naming everyone who had doubted him? Or did he do it in a charming way? I didn’t see the actual speech.
If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross
He did. Every single person. But everyone had fun, I thought. :)
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I think the benefit of not having a “killer instinct” is that David Robinson is probably as happy with his life as a person can be, I can’t imagine it’s easy to be hyper competitive and then you have to switch off and live a “normal” life.
He’s one of those people that’s so nice, just hearing him speak you feel like an a-hole in comparison.
If you haven't lived with a squirrel, you haven't lived. - Bob Ross
Michael who? David was my man.
by The Georgia Outlaw on Sep 12, 2009 7:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Loved it, especially the praise he gave to Tim, who kept the robot face the whole time. I am wondering though, with all the praise he gave Larry Brown, do you all think he should have mentioned Pop as well, seeing as he built the championship system that got him two rings? Maybe coach-wise, Larry had the bigger impact on him, I guess. I think it’s just my undying loyalty to Gregg Popovich talking. Without David Robinson, there would have been no Spurs, as they would’ve been sold or moved to a bigger market, so I guess the fact that he began with Larry Brown brings about that significance. I don’t like how they made his speech the shortest of the five, I would’ve loved to have heard more.
I really do struggle to find anyone in the history of sports who was as classy as this
guy.
I think that David was ‘encouraged’ to keep his comments brief. He said that he had more to say, and I’m sure that would have included something about Pop as well.
I think that was him being overly deferential… he could’ve used 5 more minutes, and no one would’ve mentioned it. Then again, it’s David Robinson.
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Robinson and Jordan
What a contrast between the two speeches! David emphasized faith, family and a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of being one of the few NBA players who have become lifetime members of the HoF and for God who made it all possible. Jordan’s speech, on the other hand, struck me as petty and even bizarre. The best part was when he talked about how David Thompson inspired him, and then it went downhill from there. He spoke somewhat arrogantly about those who didn’t do him right or slighted him, whether it be his high school coach, Dean Smith, Kevin Loughery, Tex Winter, Jerry Krause, Byron Russell, the media, etc. Sure, some of it was said in jest, but it wasn’t hard to see the bitterness coming through. It’s one thing to be very competitive, but it’s amazing that MJ still holds so many grudges after all these years.
Earlier in the day, Jordan said, "Take away that little, round ball and we (this year’s entries into the Hall) all would have struggled in life." We all know that wouldn’t have been true of David Robinson, and deep down MJ knows that as well. But despite all of his incredible success, it’s like he can’t let go of the glory and move on. He needs to realize that he no longer has to be the Alpha star.
As I reflected on his speech, I thought of the words of U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. David Robinson has found that true peace which passes all understanding, and I hope and pray that MJ will as well.
by 4Him on Sep 12, 2009 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Wojnarowski wrote the worst article I’ve read about Jordan’s speech. Vicious, Adrian? You were vicious. And quoting “a Hall of Famer” and “one high-ranking team executive”? At least be a man and say it yourself.
Dead to me.
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Wojnarowski did say it himself – that was the whole thrust of what he wrote.
This was the first time I heard about the Iceman being part of the “freeze-out” of Jordan at the 1985 All-Star Game (I didn’t even remember that Ice was still an All-Star in ‘85). I had heard that Isaiah was the ringleader of that incident, but wasn’t sure who else was involved.
I’ve definately heard about Isaiah being involved. He was on the East squad. Iceman was still with the Spurs in the 84-85 season, if I’m correct. I’m not sure what he would’ve had to do with the incident. In 85-86, the year of Jordan’s injury, Gervin came to Chicago, but was past his prime, but still contributed a respectable 16.5 ppg, to a 30-52 squad.
"If you think Tony Parker is better than Manu Ginobili, you need to stop drinking before you come in here." - Charles Barkley, to Kenny Smith.
by Ed (dfjmed) on Sep 13, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
1985 All-Stars
West
Magic Johnson LAL
Ralph Sampson HOU
George Gervin SAS
Rolando Blackman DAL
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar LAL
Adrian Dantley UTA
Norm Nixon LAC Larry Nance PHO
Hakeem Olajuwon HOU
Alex English DEN
Jack Sikma SEA
Calvin Natt DEN
East
Moses Malone PHI
Larry Bird BOS
Isiah Thomas DET
Julius Erving PHI
Bernard King NYK
Sidney Moncrief MIL
Michael Jordan CHI
Terry Cummings MIL
Micheal Ray Richardson NJN
Dennis Johnson BOS
Bill Laimbeer DET
Robert Parish BOS
"If you think Tony Parker is better than Manu Ginobili, you need to stop drinking before you come in here." - Charles Barkley, to Kenny Smith.
by Ed (dfjmed) on Sep 13, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Off topic...
…but these are two pretty impressive rosters. I’d have loved to actually have seen this game. 3 Celtics players…no McHale?! I believe he won his 2nd of 2 consecutive 6th Man Awards that season. A few Spurs connections there, also- Iceman, Terry Cummings. Did Moncriefe play for them at one point? And, of course, Moses Malone- one of the all time greats, IMO.
"If you think Tony Parker is better than Manu Ginobili, you need to stop drinking before you come in here." - Charles Barkley, to Kenny Smith.
Maybe, but the strongest lines came from unnamed people. When you add “sources” such as that, you give your article extra weight, because, “hey, it’s not just me saying it, this is the consensus!”
If you’re going to lambast a person, use your voice, don’t borrow others.
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I know I’m coming late to this game (been busy with non-PtR stuff) but I’ve got to post this anyway. After seeing Jordan’s speech and reading Woj’s article, I have a prediction to make.
In five year’s time, when Jordan is receiving the Pulitzer prize for Explanatory Reporting (past winners and finalists are here and here) he’ll be citing Adrian Wojnarowski’s article as the main reason he decided to quit basketball and turn his unquenchable desire to prove his doubters wrong toward becoming the greatest writer the NBA Hall of Fame has ever produced.
And you know that he’ll be jawing at Woj through the whole speech.
From under the radar to hanging in the rafters - Big50
5 in 10
The Admiral’s speech was best. Jordan’s was entertaining for the shots he took, but Robinson’s was just gripping. Maybe I just like to hear people give praise and thanks. Excellent point 4Him, about the “…taking away a little roundball, and we all would have struggled in life…” You’re correct. David has something, well more than one thing to fall back on – his service to our country, his spirituality, and his family. Does his Airness?
"If you think Tony Parker is better than Manu Ginobili, you need to stop drinking before you come in here." - Charles Barkley, to Kenny Smith.
Something’s wrong with my browser, I can’t reply to anyone.
First, I think Woj was unfair to Jordan. So the greatest basketball player of all time wasn’t too selfless and altruistic. To be fair, the writer quotes an exec as saying it was just like Mike to deliver a speech like that. But I found the speech entertaining, and if the NBA isn’t for the enjoyment of viewers, then I don’t know what it is for. (Perhaps, to reinforce fans’ feelings of inferiority when comparing their athleticism, fame and fortune with that of their idols). At any rate, I was hoping he would at least mention Barkley and praise Phil.
Second, Robinson’s speech was heartwarming. I like the Timmy love, but apparently his feelings towards Pop aren’t as warm and cozy as Duncan’s or even Parker’s.
Third, I was bored by Sloan’s speech. I was looking for more insight into his coaching mind, not the player’s. He was enshrined as a coach, right? The Malone and Stockton acknowledgement didn’t really come until the end. (Although he did mention a host of assistants I am not familiar with).
Fourth, isn’t it ironic (link to Alanis youtube) that Sloan played for the team he can’t beat and is inducted to the Hall along with the person who denied him his ring(s)?
Fifth, if Stockton, Sloan and Jordan played 1, 2, 3 at their primes (pushing the SF spot) along with Robinson at five, wouldn’t that be a pretty formidable starting unit—even if Stringer played the 4?
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
(link to Alanis youtube)
That’s not how links work, romeo…
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I guess I didn’t think it was worth the search and copy and paste.
"Yes, it's important that I have good numbers, and I'm well-respected as a player. But I think it's more important that I'm respected as a man." - Some Tall Guy Who Wore #50
by theonlyromeo on Sep 13, 2009 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions
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